IIHR in the Americas Bi-monthly newsletter of the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights No. 197 August 15-31, 2011

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1 IIHR in the Americas Bi-monthly newsletter of the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights No. 197 August 15-31, 2011 Content: IIHR at 1 st Global Afro-descendent Summit. La Ceiba, Honduras. 29 th Interdisciplinary Course on Human Rights closes. San José, Costa Rica. Launch of 2 nd edition of poverty course. San José, Costa Rica. Homage to Monseignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero. San José, Costa Rica. Preparatory meetings for regional meeting. Montevideo, Uruguay. IIHR/CAPEL undertakes technical mission. Guatemala City. Meeting on private security. Bogotá, Colombia. IIHR at lecture on cultural diversity. San José, Costa Rica. Training for electoral observation in Mexico. Mexico, F.D. Evaluation of shadow reports presented to CEDAW Committee. San José, Costa Rica. Postgrad in Panama on elections. Panama City. Meeting for preparation of interdisciplinary course in Brazil. Montevideo, Uruguay. Former Interdisciplinary Course student in Discussions on Latin American psychology. Montevideo, Uruguay. IIHR in discussion with Colombian victims. Bogotá, Colombia. Session on mental health of Los Santos. Santa María de Dota, Costa Rica. Meeting with Vice-president of Colombia. Bogotá, Colombia. Executive Director signs new agreement with SIDA. Bogotá, Colombia. IIHR acquires new commitments from Colombian organizations. Bogotá, Colombia. IIHR sponsors Limón Roots festival. San José, Costa Rica. Meeting with CADAL. Montevideo, Uruguay. Cooperation agreement with Pro-Bono Foundation. Bogotá, Colombia. IIHR and CREFAL Master s on human rights education. San José, Costa Rica. Invitation to seminar on human security policy. Heredia, Costa Rica. IIHR at 1 st Global Afro-descendent Summit La Ceiba, Honduras. The IIHR, through its Women's Rights Program, attended the 1 st Global Summit of Afro-descendents, held at the Regional University Center in La Ceiba from August This event analyzed achievements made in the protection of afrodescendent rights enshrined in international treaties, as well as this population s social

2 situation ten years after the Durban Conference. The event combined a keynote address delivered to all participants and thematic workshops. A panel on the rights of afro-descendent women in Latin America and the Caribbean, organized by the United Nations Population Fund, concluded, among other things, that discrimination is one of the cultural/structural results of social domination and submission that justifies the abuse of power and the exploitation of social groups considered inferior, so that structural not individual changes are necessary. Moreover, it was stressed that gender indicators should draw attention to black women. In this matter, available data shows limited access to education and health, such as in Uruguay, where only 41.5% of afrodescendent girls are enrolled in primary school. Brazil provides another example, where it is estimated that white people are three times more likely to graduate than black and brown people and anesthesia is denied to 12% of black women and only 6% of white women. During the panel entitled The Inter-American System, Human Rights and Afrodescendents, the Director of the OAS International Law Department emphasized the urgent need for an inter-american instrument supporting afro-descendents. The IIHR stressed the need for a formal non-sexist, non-stereotypical education, with human rights content and the inclusion of ethnic and sexual diversity. They also said that cultural identity should not violate afro-descendent women s rights. Afro-descendent women in the Americas called for financial resources and political will, and a structural review of poverty eradication programs in order to include an ethno-racial approach. Affirmative action policies and programs are required as a way of reducing racial and gender gaps. Education, they argue, is vital to raising the awareness of educators in establishing a culture of non-discrimination. Regarding the right to health, they asked for respect for the sexual and reproductive rights of afro-descendent women. The Summit closed with a declaration that included a call on States to fight racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related forms of intolerance, to guarantee the full enjoyment of human rights for afro-descendent populations. 29 th Interdisciplinary Course on Human Rights closes San José, Costa Rica. The 29 th Interdisciplinary Course on Human Rights closed on August 19 in a ceremony held in the Inter-American Classroom, the same room in which the Course had taken place since August 8. In front of 102 participants and IIHR staff and officials, Mario Zamora Cordero, Costa Rican Minister of Governance, Police and Public Security, offered closing words on behalf of President Laura Chinchilla. Sonia Picado, President of the Board of Directors, and Roberto Cuéllar M., Executive Director, also spoke. They were joined at the head table by Professor César Barros Leal, member of the General Assembly; Victoria Napky and José Thompson, Deputy Directors; and Juan Navarrete, Deputy Director for Central America. The ceremony also provided an opportunity to distribute certificates of participation to participants in the 29 th Course, along with a CD including useful information, such as papers and course presentations from teachers and a bibliography of Internet resources on related issues, as well as photographs from the Course. Information was also distributed on the 30 th Interdisciplinary Course to be held in 2012, which will focus on the inter-american human rights system, including its history, current issues and future prospects.

3 Launch of 2 nd edition of poverty course San José, Costa Rica. The 2 nd edition of the Overcoming poverty with a focus on human rights and gender online course began on August 15. It is aimed at decision-makers, members of grassroots organizations and the general public, to support advocacy, research, training, guidance, and the development of policy advice directed at individuals or communities facing this situation. It provides analytical tools for increasing the impact of policies for overcoming poverty in the region. Eighteen people from organizations working in this area have enrolled in the course; most are members of the Interactive Inter-American Network for Central America, which is moderated by the IIHR. The Course is expected to end Oct. 24 with a 100% completion. Homage to Monseignor Óscar Arnulfo Romero San José, Costa Rica. An exhibition of posters and photographs of Archbishop Óscar Arnulfo Romero was held from August 16 to 19 in the Hall of Human Rights; Romero is the former Archbishop of San Salvador, who was cowardly assassinated on March 24, The Embassy of El Salvador in Costa Rica organized the exhibition. Both Ambassador Sebastián Vaquerano and Professor Arnoldo Mora, former Minister of Culture of Costa Rica, spoke at the opening ceremony on August 16. Mora provided an overview the life of the universal man from El Salvador, the 20 th Century Saint, emphasizing his commitment to the poor people of his country and the continent. Staff and officials of the Embassy of El Salvador in Costa Rica and the IIHR attended the event, as well as participants in the 29 th Interdisciplinary Course on Human Rights, held from August 8 to 19. Preparatory meetings for regional meeting Montevideo, Uruguay. On August 17, 24 and 31, the Coordinator of the IIHR Regional Office for South America, Soledad García Muñoz, and executive assistant Vanessa Castrillon attended preparatory meetings for the regional forum on Human Rights and International Criminal Law: Comparative Experiences and Challenges in Uruguay. The event was co-organized by Women for Peace Uruguay, human rights organizations and victims of acts, including sexual violence, perpetrated during the military dictatorship. The event also had the backing of the Supreme Court of Uruguay. The IIHR, through its regional representation, actively supports this event to be held this October in Montevideo. The purpose of this forum will be the promotion, debate and implementation in Uruguay of international human rights and international criminal law. It therefore calls upon legal actors (judges, prosecutors, lawyers, etc.) for support during this phase. IIHR/CAPEL undertakes technical mission Guatemala City. The IIHR/CAPEL began supporting the process for general elections and for the Central American Parliament, scheduled for September 11, over a year ago by undertaking monthly technical missions. One such mission visited the Supreme Electoral

4 Tribunal from August 17-20, which was very significant as the body was in its final weeks of logistical preparation. The purpose of this mission was to review the SET s work and progress in the run up to the election, through interviews with staff responsible for electoral management units. Data were collected on their main activities, which include: 1) electoral training; 2) campaigns calling on citizens to participate, publicizing voting and the use of two identity documents; 3) the transmission of results; and, 4) election observation. Based on this information and subsequent discussion, the IIHR/CAPEL drafted recommendations for the SET. The technical mission was composed of Sophie Vincenzi Guillá, CAPEL officer, and consultant Andrés Araya Montezuma. Meeting on private security Bogotá, Colombia. The International Meeting of Experts Regulation of Military and Private Security Companies was held on August 18 and 19. Experts participating in the event included: Juan Carlos Monje, Deputy Director from the UN Office for the High Commissioner of Human Rights in Colombia; Juan Manuel Osorio, Dean of the International Relations Program at Jorge Tadeo Lozano University; Víctor Guerrero, professor at Javeriana Pontificate University; Antoine Perret, from the European University Institute; Amanda Benavides, former member of the UN Working Group on the use of mercenaries; Pierre Yves Morrier, delegate from the Swiss Embassy; and Irene Cabrera, from the External University of Colombia, among others. The IIHR was represented by the manager of its Office in Colombia, Pedro Pablo Parodi, who spoke on private security companies from the perspective of the inter-american human rights system. IIHR at lecture on cultural diversity San José, Costa Rica. A lecture on The Potential of cultural diversity as a constructive force for development, organized by UNESCO San José as part of activities marking the International Year of Afro-descendents, was held on August 23. UN Rapporteur Doudou Diene, from Senegal, who is a specialist on intercultural issues and alternative forms of discrimination, delivered the keynote address. In his lecture, Diene said that diversity is an inherent feature of all species that inhabit the planet, and that there is enormous potential in this. The problem arises when it is conceptualized as a hierarchy of races and as a system of radical differences between people, perceptions that have been at the heart of all genocides. In response, he argued that one must accept that multiculturalism is a reality, and from there, break the historical silence that has obscured many years of discrimination to build a multicultural and shared memory. The challenge is to incorporate the existence of the other within the collective imagination rather than seeing it as a threat, thereby creating the conditions for universal values that unite the best from each group and community. Training for electoral observation in Mexico Mexico, F.D. Following an invitation from Mexico's Federal Electoral Institute and UNDP, José Thompson, Deputy IIHR Director and CAPEL Director, participated in a training program from August for national organizations that observe Mexican elections. The

5 activity generated discussion on the preparation and administration of the federal election, as well as electoral reforms instituted in In his presentation, Thompson spoke on the evolution of the different phases of contemporary observation, which apply not only to electoral officials but other players in the process as well. Participants included international experts with experience in this field, who shared their expertise and perspectives with Mexican civil society organizations and Federal Electoral Institute officials. Evaluation of shadow reports presented to CEDAW Committee San José, Costa Rica. There was a briefing in the Inter-American Classroom on August 24, organized by the Women's Political Agenda, Collective for Free Choice, Latin American Space for Sexualities and Rights and the IIHR, which was represented by Mary Rose Madden Arias, an official with the Women s Rights program. Alda Facio, Natasha Jiménez, Adriana Maroto and Marta Solano shared their experiences, assessments and analysis of the shadow reports submitted to the CEDAW Committee. The event also provided an opportunity for those present to discuss challenges in monitoring. Postgrad in Panama on elections Panama City. At the invitation of the Electoral Tribunal, IIHR Deputy Director and CAPEL Director José Thompson visited Panama from August to deliver two lectures as part of a graduate program being co-developed by the University of the Americas (UDELAS) and the Electoral Tribunal. His lectures were titled Methods of electoral organization in Latin America and Principles of electoral law and their effect on electoral administration. Meeting for preparation of interdisciplinary course in Brazil Montevideo, Uruguay. From August 26-30, the IIHR Regional Office for South America received a delegation from the Federal University of Ceará and the Attorney General, an organizing partner for the interdisciplinary course to be held in Fortaleza, in June 2012; its main theme will be human rights from the perspective of poverty. César Barros Leal, member of the IIHR Board of Directors, and Dimas Macedo, composed the delegation. The main purpose of the visit was to continue preparing the course, for which participants are expected to attend from across Brazil, through the adoption of principal agreements relating to the event. The agenda included teleconference meetings with colleagues in Human Rights Education who organized the recent Interdisciplinary Course in Costa Rica. Taking advantage of the presence of the Brazilian officials in Uruguay, the Office scheduled meetings with Belela Herrera, former Deputy Foreign Minister of Uruguay, and Silvia Izquierdo, advisor to the Minister of the Interior on prison issues and human rights. Former Interdisciplinary Course student in Discussions on Latin American psychology Montevideo, Uruguay. Ana Mosca, a student of the 26 th Interdisciplinary Course on Human Rights, took part in Discussions on Latin American psychology that explored Current violence: Contexts and approaches. Held on August 27, this event was organized

6 by the Department of Psychology and Latin American Psychological Society of Uruguay, in the context of the regional union, ULAPSI. Mosca participated in a panel entitled Diverse perspectives on social violence and its consequences. In her lecture, she returned to the concepts of the 26 th Interdisciplinary Course on Human Rights, held in 2008, on human rights from the perspective of poverty. In her words, I learned, from economists, to conceptualize poverty as structural violence. With this as a point of departure, she delved into its effects on childhood development and the growth of psychosocial distress in both affective and cognitive contexts. IIHR in discussion with Colombian victims Bogotá, Colombia. In the context of the 92 nd session of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Colombia, a discussion took place on August 27 with members of civil society and victims' organizations. The presiding judge of the Court, Diego García Sayán, and the Court clerk, Pablo Saavedra, chaired the event, on the Past, Present and Future of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. It was held in the Benjamin Herrera Lounge at the Free University and was moderated by IIHR Executive Director, Roberto Cuéllar M. Cuéllar, who took part in all Court activities during his visit to Colombia. Session on mental health of Los Santos Santa María de Dota, Costa Rica. On August 29, the IIHR attended the 1 st Mental Health of Los Santos session. The health area of Los Santos, in collaboration of the Costa Rican Association of Psychiatry, FOCOTBI and the National Psychiatric Hospital, organized the event. Exhibitors included representatives from the National Open University; the Ombudsman; the Professional Union of Medical Sciences, Water and Sewage; Ministry of Health; and the Mexico Hospital, among others. The various presentations emphasized the need to ensure mental health as a human right as stated in international instruments, for which enjoyment depends on the communal, integrated action of all actors. Rose Mary Madden Arias, Women's Rights Program official, drew attention to the State's obligation to ensure the full enjoyment of human rights, particularly the right to health and mental health, without ethnic/sexual preference or gender discrimination. In addition, she supported a focus on state action for the particular needs of each population. Meeting with Vice-president of Colombia Bogotá, Colombia. On August 29, the IIHR Executive Director had a private meeting with the Vice-president of Colombia, Angelino Garzón. After his presentation on the Institute's activities in this country, there was a fluid discussion on the human rights situation in Colombia and throughout the region. The Director acknowledged that now, under the chairmanship of Juan Manuel Santos, a process of normalization and stabilization with the essential elements of democracy and human rights is being encouraged.

7 Executive Director signs new agreement with SIDA Bogotá, Colombia. On August 30, Roberto Cuéllar M., IIHR Executive Director, went to the Swedish Embassy in Colombia to sign a new agreement with SIDA. It will support the Special Program in Colombia from , which relates to the strengthening of democracy through electoral cooperation and training inter-american human rights officials from 16 departments in Colombia. Emma Nilenfors and Sergio Arboleda, from SIDA, and the IIHR representative in Colombia, Pedro Pablo Parodi, also attended the signing. IIHR acquires new commitments from Colombian organizations Bogotá, Colombia. On August 30, by signing two separate agreements, IIHR Executive Director, Roberto Cuéllar M., pledged to cooperate with the National Police of Colombia, the Center for Research and Popular Education (NIST), the Central University of Colombia and the Cooperative University. The agreements focus on the development of human rights knowledge and skills from the perspectives of safety, academics and human rights education, based on their experience and knowledge accumulated over 31 years working in the region. On August 31, the Executive Director signed an agreement with the Comptroller General of Colombia, represented by Sandra Morelli Rico. Its first section will be implemented in September through the training of local oversight committees for humanitarian aid financing, which seeks to prevent the diversion of funds to an election campaign that ends on October 30. The same day he met with Marcelo Álvarez and Baltasar Garzón, leader and advisor to the MAPP-OAS, respectively, and the presiding judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Diego Garcia Sayán. He later met with senior government officials, armed forces, the Attorney General, the Electoral Council, the Civil Registry of the State and NGOs. IIHR sponsors Limón Roots festival San José, Costa Rica. Sponsored by the IIHR and dedicated to afro-costa Rican youth, the Limón Roots festival took place on August 30 Day for Blacks, Afro-Costa Rican Culture and the Meeting of Cultures. Organizers looked to promote the retention of values, traditions and customs to promote greater awareness among Costa Ricans and foreigners of afro-descendent culture. The event provided an opportunity to pay tribute to individuals or groups of African descent that have distinguished themselves by significant contributions in various sectors of the country. The keynote address was given by Juan Carlos Mendoza, President of the Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica, who called for the construction of a multicultural, multiethnic and multilingual state that gives full representation to ethnic and cultural diversity in all departments. Deputy Mendoza pledged to work to incorporate this element into [the] Constitution. Meeting with CADAL

8 Montevideo, Uruguay. On August 31, the Coordinator of the IIHR Regional Office for South America, Soledad Garcia Muñoz, held a working meeting with Gabriel Salvia, Director of CADAL (Center for the Opening and Development of Latin America). During their meeting they identified possible joint actions for bringing human rights to media professionals. Cooperation agreement with Pro-Bono Foundation Bogotá, Colombia. On August 31, the IIHR, the Pro Bono Chile Foundation and the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, within the New York City Bar Association, signed an agreement of cooperation. Through their representatives Roberto Cuéllar M., Elizabeth Miller and Ciro Colombara the three bodies committed to coordinating actions toward strengthening the knowledge, development and implementation of human rights contained in the different international instruments ratified by Latin American states and promoting the pro bono participation of lawyers in the inter-american for vulnerable people and groups in order to improve access to international justice. In this sense, the Inter-American Court and IIHR met with Pro Bono International to propose guidelines for working with this body (which brings together law firms and corporate offices in thirteen Latin America countries) to represent the interests and basic rights of individuals and communities who cannot afford to pay for legal assistance. For the processing of their cases, especially those related to critical situations in which there is a violation of basic human rights, they will invoke the Inter-American Court OC/11 decision on exhaustion of domestic remedies. The agreement includes the holding of meetings of various kinds, legal research, the exchange of publications, internships and other actions. Soledad García Muñoz, who manages the IIHR Regional Office for South America, will coordinate on behalf of the Institute. The IIHR has worked with Pro Bono in the past, an exceptional group committed to supporting the right to provide justice to the poor in their cases and claims regarding the effectiveness of their human rights. Read more online: Pro Bono Foundation and Cyrus R. Vance Center present Pro Bono International Network program in Colombia IIHR and CREFAL Master s on human rights education San José, Costa Rica. The Inter-American Institute of Human Rights and the Center for Regional Cooperation in Adult Education in Latin America (CREFAL) are pleased to announce the opening of registration for their Master in Human Rights Education, which ends on September 29. The program is sponsored by the CREFAL and IIHR, both of which have worked in this field for several decades. The two organizations have now joined forces to train teachers, officials and researchers in order to build their capacity to mainstream human rights in education and design programs to integrate them, live them and defend them through the implementation of teaching strategies, programs and materials. This will equip each graduate to engage in various political, social, economic and cultural situations. Similarly, it will contribute to building an active citizenry for influencing the

9 democratization process and promoting education that rescues human dignity, equality and human rights. For more information, visit or Invitation to seminar on human security policy Heredia, Costa Rica. The Latin American Chair of Criminology and Human Rights, Alessandro Baratta, has announced his second seminar, to be held from September 28 to 30. This year, it will focus on human security in democratic politics. The activity will be conducted in collaboration with the Supreme Court of Justice and National University, both in Costa Rica, as well as the IIHR. Important Latin American experts will also take part, including Lolita Aniyar de Castro (Venezuela), Ignacio Cano (Spain), Juan Pegoraro (Argentina), Juan Navarrete (IIDH), Paula Dobles, Alfredo Chirino, Javier Llobet and Walter Antillón (Costa Rica), as well as others. For more information, please contact Information and Documentation Center The information contained in this Newsletter may be used, provided the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights is credited as its source. All previous issues of IIHR in the Americas and the IIHR Newsletter are available in our digital archive, which may be accessed at the Press Room section of the IIHR Web site ( Inter-American Institute of Human Rights